Eli Sherman, SoCal Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Co-Founder, 74

Posted on Nov. 22, 2006 at 7:00 pm

For years, Eli Sherman heard the joke about "Great Jewish Athletes" being the world's shortest book. But he knew better.

Sherman, who died at age 74 of natural causes Nov. 14 at a Palm Desert rehabilitation center, devoted his life to advancing recognition of Jewish athletic achievement, and to creating great Jewish athletes.

He co-founded the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and spent more than 40 years working for Jewish community centers in Los Angeles.

Sherman served as physical education director at the Westside Jewish Community Center. In the 1990s, he moved to the New JCC at Milken in West Hills.

A Chicago native, Sherman moved to Boyle Heights in 1946 at age 14. He played basketball at Roosevelt High School, East Los Angeles College and Cal State L.A.

The All-American and Maccabi basketball star first started working for the centers at Boyle Heights' Soto Michigan JCC in 1947. From 1955 to 1999, Sherman served as the health and physical education director for the Westside JCC, where he worked with a young Lenny Krayzelburg.

Sherman and co-chair Joe Siegman founded the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1989 to support individuals and the Jewish community through sports. The local Hall of Fame also works to promote the World Maccabi Games in Israel, Jewish Community Centers of North America Maccabi Youth games and the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Los Angeles' sports programs.

Sherman was also a tireless promoter of the Milken JCC, visiting San Fernando Valley malls, neighborhoods, schools and synagogues, urging all Valley residents to treat the complex as their own.

He worked to develop programs to entice people of all ages.

"I'm going to give them every opportunity to make this place a home away from home," Sherman told The Journal during the Center's 2000 opening.

Sherman retired from the center in 2003. At his retirement, Sherman told The Journal he met dozens of sports legends in his five decades with the centers of Southern California, but what he treasured most were the students who had become part of his extended family.

"These 6- and 7-year-olds ... today are men in their early 50s, and I've had the privilege of working with some of their children," he said. "That's something you just can't put a price on."

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Gladys Abramson died Nov. 4 at 87. She is survived by her son, Mark (Ilene); and grandchildren, Daniel Abramson and Elizabeth Tracton. Hillside

Charles William Baral died Oct. 29 at 86. He is survived by his wife, Rhoda; son, James (Eileen) Baral; two grandchildren; and friends. Hillside

Lester Bernstein died Oct. 25 at 84. He is survived by his daughter, Arlene Estrin; granddaughter, Myndi; and sister, Doris Berger. Sholom Chapels

Paul Mark Billig died Oct. 3 at 64. He is survived by his sons, Brett, Eric and Maury; and sister, Maddy. Sholom Chapels

Ruth Blywise died Oct. 26 at 89. She is survived by her children, Joni and Shelly Steier and Barbara; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Hillside

Shanna Harrison Brummage died Oct 28 at 39. She is survived by her sister, Rene; and parents, John and Susan. Chevra Kadisha

Frances Buchsbaum died Oct. 27 at 97. She is survived by her daughter, Cecile (Norman) Krevoy; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Sholom Chapels

Nettie Dubow, died Nov. 3 at 83. She is survived by her daughter, Michele. Sholom Chapels

Ilona Flint died Nov. 6 at 59. She is survived by her brother, Theodore (Barbara) Bell; friends; nieces; and nephews. Hillside

Bertha Omansky died Nov. 9 at 91. She is survived by her daughter, Estelle Katz; sons, Arthur and Alfred; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Malinow and Silverman
David Osipowitsch died Nov. 8 at 84. He is survived by his daughter, Sarah; grandson, Ian; and cousin, Ann Woods. Mount Sinai

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